Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hello everyone,

I just recently acquired a Jensen 20G. It’s second hand but in excellent condition. I doubt it was run much at all. Anyway, it runs very well and I’m amazed at how fast the immersion rod heater works. I had steam in no time at all.
Just a few little leaks to tend to, mostly the front and rear of the cylinder.
There must be gaskets that are supposed to be there I would imagine? Just making sure before I unscrew the head.
It runs that generator easily and I’ll bet it can run others as well.
I must say I’m more than pleased with it.

There should be cylinder head gaskets, I believe.    Someone like St Paul Steam would know better. He’s a big Jensen collector.

Congratulations on your new #20, a fine plant.
A few drops leaking around the piston rod & leaking out the end of the crosshead is completely normal.
I use paper currency (one-dollar bills) is an excellent gasket material, & yes, there should be gaskets on each end, the rear cap makes a fine template. my suggestion to get a good centering of the crosshead (the snout end) is have the connecting rod disconnected from the crank pin, & once you get the gaskets in place on both ends, before you completely tighten the crosshead end...hyperextend the piston as far out against the crosshead as it can go & then tighten up the 4 crosshead bolts, this ensures the greatest concentricity as possible & should make a smooth running piston in the bore. the butt end isn't as important, just make sure its centered good. good luck.

Thank you very much for the advice Bruce. Now I know what to do. I’ll use a dollar bill and make the gaskets this week when I get a chance.

Makes perfect sense to me Daniel. Especially since the value of the dollar is very low now. I’ll probably make a gasket for the boiler glass as well. I’ve got a nice leather punch with multiple size punches that should take care of the holes for the bolts to go.